The Women Commissioners raised more than $120,000 in scholarship money at this year’s Charger Derby.

According to Sue McAlpine ’86, 100% of the proceeds go into the Women Commissioners’ scholarship fund, helping students afford Hillsdale College who couldn’t otherwise. This year was the group’s most successful yet, grossing $123,758.

College President Larry Arnn said the Charger Derby was the creation of Jan Brodbeck ’67.

“She used to live in a country club, and she moved to Hillsdale because it was more exciting,” Arnn said. “This is the kind of thing they do in country clubs. And they do them for fundraisers for charity. This one is for my favorite charity, Hillsdale College.”

According to Arnn, Brodbeck believed the Charger Derby would be a more cost-effective fundraiser than the rummage sale the Women Commissioners formerly ran.

Attendee Krista Piwonka said the Charger Derby revolves around syndicated virtual Thoroughbred race horses. At this year’s Charger Derby, Piwonka said she and her family “owned” four Thoroughbreds running that evening, bet on horses, and sponsored a race.

“My husband named his horse ‘Holy Sheets,’” Piwonka said. “Mine is ‘Piwonka’s Dream.’”

Although the horses and racing are both simulated, displayed only on the Searle Center’s large projector screens, the race announcer and the bugler are real.

Senior Alexander Lauve said this is his second year serving as the bugler for the Charger Derby.

“It’s sort of an iconic part of the horse racing,” Lauve said. “For the Charger Derby, they gotta have someone to come along and play that cadence, and I’m gonna be that guy.”

Patti Bailey, winner of the first race, said the Charger Derby is always a lot of fun. 

“I am a Woman Commissioner, so I just enjoy coming to these and supporting the Woman Commissioner Scholarship Program,” Bailey said.

Bailey said she planned to hang her prize — a painting — somewhere in her home.

“The colors work perfectly with my interior design,” Bailey said.

All participants in the Derby, winners and losers, had the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, said sophomore Isaac Rukin, a student volunteer.

“I will be giving away keys that unlock keys, one of which out of many will unlock a barn door which will lead to a $1,500 prize used for vacation purposes,” Rukin said before the races began.

Other prizes included everything from a shotgun to an iPad mini to overflowing gift baskets.

Rukin said all of the students volunteering at the Charger Derby received a scholarship granted by the Women Commissioners. While some students ran the betting tables, sold Charger Bucks and handed out tickets, others monitored the prizes on display and mingled with the guests.

“I’m excited to be here because I get to meet new people, and because I get to give back for what I received,” Rukin said.